moving to South Africa from UK?
im a 20 year old student, living in England (born in Zimbabwe, i have UK residency/British Passport), just finished a course of Graphic Design, hoping to move with my mom and brother to South Africa (my parents recently split) and ive never felt so home-sick in my life after living here for 7 years. our hearts are set on Plettenberg Bay, but knowing there arent many jobs for white/students in Plett, im considering working in Knynsa. do you think its a mistake to move now, due to everything that is going on. eg: Zuma winning the elections? (a friend said i should go in 4 years time, if any change has happened) but i cant wait here another 6 months! do you think i could find a job easily? and would it be better for me to apply for student visa or work permit? would it be cheaper to learn to drive in UK, or SA? and would learning Afrikaans help me, while living in Plettenberg Bay? my moms an accountant and used to be a teacher, would she find work? please be as honest as you can, thanks for your help!
South Africa - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I would not say it is a mistake, there are opportunities available in South Africa as long as you are willing to persevere in identifying them. Finding a job may not be all that easy, but it is not impossible, it will most likely require many applications though. Also your graphic design qualification might not have a huge demand in Knysna or Plett, as most major publishing houses are in Cape Town. Plett and Knysna are both predominately white towns so yes there will be jobs for white students. I would only apply for a student visa if you plan on studying, else the work permit will serve you better. Do you not perhaps still have Zimbabwean citizenship, as this will allow you easier access to South Africa? Learning to dive will almost certainly be cheaper in South Africa, A learners licence cost around R120. After which you will probably want to do around 15 hours of lessons at around R130 per hour if you plan to pass first time as the SA testing is pretty technical. All in all you should be able to get fully licensed for under R2500. Afrikaans would help, but it is in no ways required as everybody speaks English, maybe just learn a few key words. Yes your mother should be able to get work, both accountants and teachers are in high demand throughout the country. As for what geoffrey said, keep in mind you will have your British residences meaning that if something does go radically downhill you could leave without much problem.
2 :
Secure your jobs first, then you can be settled easily, things are not so bad and if you are skilled there should barely be a problem.
3 :
I'd have my misgivings about trying to settle in SA. Having seen what happened to Zimbabwe in a few short years it doesn't fill me with confidence that it won't slide down the same slippery slope. So many white Africans have fled to Australia or New Zealand now. I think you are more likely to feel at home in these countries than in SA.
4 :
Trying to work as a graphic designer in SA can be a rather unrewarding experience. The only decent jobs in that industry are in Johannesburg and Cape Town, and most of them are usually nothing more than cash-cow work (Your'e young. Avoid this mistake). Better set yourself up freelance in Plett or Knysna through the internet, and use the connections that you've (hopefully) made while being in the UK to get international work. That way you can work in SA without actually being tied to anything, know what I mean? If your mother is an accountant, she should be okay. Yes, you should learn Afrikaans. When it comes to pillow-talk and general blasphemy, it beats French hands down.
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